Calculate the provisions you need now

These recommendations were developed by the Austrian Civil Protection Association in cooperation with AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety). They are based on the Austrian Food Pyramid as of 2023.

Please note that vegetarian or vegan options can only be shown to a limited extent. Exchange relevant products based on your own experiences and preferences.

If you have any intolerances, allergies, etc., please refer to the respective package information on the food.

Information on the stockpiling calculator

The provisions calculator is primarily aimed at people who, in the event of an emergency, wish to prepare food for themselves.

Of course, this does not apply to everyone. . If you do not want to cook for yourself for example, or are unable to, try to stockpile ready-prepared food instead of individual products. If this is the case, it is best to use our provisions calculator as a guide when compiling your supplies.

In our calculations, we have used food with a shelf life of at least six months (where stored correctly).

The list represents the ideal supply for a balanced diet in times of crisis. Please also pay particular attention to your own preferences, and consider the provisions calculated for you here as a guideline only.

Not included are foods such as: garlic, onion or spices, coffee powder, coffee beans or instant coffee, fruit tea, herbal tea, black tea, syrup, evaporated milk for coffee, vinegar, sauces, stock cubes, and where applicable also various baking ingredients such as flour, sugar, baking powder, vanilla sugar or dry yeast.

The quantities are determined on a scientific basis in co-operation with the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (“AGES”), and are based on the average nutritional requirements of the respective age groups.

In the case of ready-made products, the average meat content was calculated and used as a basis.

If you follow a vegetarian/vegan diet, try to replace meat and fish products with long-life, protein-rich foods that suit your taste. Individual long-life products (e.g. dried diced soya, tofu) are available and can be used to compensate. Protein-rich foods such as pulses (e.g. chickpeas, sweet lupins, peas) can also be stockpiled in larger quantities.

A variety of baby foods in jars are available on the market. W e suggest the following guidelines for a balanced supply:

When babies eat just one meal of solid food per day: 5x a meat menu, 1x a fish menu and 1x a vegetarian menu for one week.

If your child eats more portions of solid food (2-5 portions per day), add additional vegetarian menus, fruit and vegetable purees and instant baby foods.

It is assumed that 1 jar or one portion of “instant baby food” is used per meal.

Other products if required:

Vegetable oil; baby rusks; cereal snacks without added salt (millet/corn balls, cereal bars, …) etc.

If you have indicated that you regularly have fresh food in stock at home, the following product groups have been reduced by 50% for the first 7 days:

  • • Fruit (puréed or conserved)
  • Dried fruit or vegetables
  • Fruit or vegetable juice
  • Vegetables

Please also consider your pets when compiling a list of supplies.

Why you need household supplies

A well-organised stock of food should be part of every household’s basic equipment. You can rely on a stock of food not only in times of crisis, but also in your everyday life.

Resilience

With a well-organised stock of food, you are also well provided for if shopping is no longer possible due to a crisis. If access roads are blocked, for example, or there are major outages (e.g. in the event of a blackout), or you are confined to the house because of an illness, bad weather or for any other reason.

Flexibility

Having a stock of food also gives you more options to choose from when it comes to your day to day diet – whether you need to accommodate an unexpected visitor, or manage in the event of bad weather, for example.

Cost savings

Planning for the longer term also means cheaper shopping. You can take advantage of special offers in grocery stores, for example, and buy long-life products at a favourable price. This will save you money and make your household more crisis-resilient at the same time.

What you need to look out for

Pay attention to the following points when buying stocks of food:

  • Stock up for at least 10-14 days
  • Make sure the food you buy offers as balanced and varied a diet as possible
  • Make sure the shelf life is as long as possible
  • Take intolerances and eating habits in your household into account.
  • Only buy provisions that you like and that you can prepare!

How you can stock up

Variant 1: have a secure and reliable back up

This variant is for you if:

  • you don’t really want to keep a constant eye on your stock.
  • you cook irregularly or rarely at home.

Think of your supplies as a back-up only to be used in emergencies. Check your food stocks at least once a year (e.g. on Civil Protection Day in October). Use up food that is about to expire and replenish your stocks.

Variant 2: flexible and fresh

This variant is for you if:

  • you cook regularly at home.
  • you have an overview of your stocks.

Many everyday foods have a longer shelf life anyway. You can save time, effort and costs by stocking up on your regular supplies and using the products according to their shelf life. When something runs out, you replace it.

What else you need

The best-stocked food store will be no use whatsoever if you are not able to prepare it, so you should also consider some other aspects as well as a stock of supplies when preparing for possible exceptional situations:

  • Your own personal family disaster plan
  • Emergency bags
  • Light sources, cooking and heating facilities
  • A home pharmacy
  • Provisions for waste water and waste